HJ0111

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, Nearly one in 8 babies born in Illinois is born 
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preterm, 13.3% of Illinois babies in total; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The percentage of preterm births in Illinois has 
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increased by 15%; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The rate of preterm births in Illinois is highest 
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for African-American infants (19.3%) followed by Native 
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Americans (15.6%), Hispanics (12.1%), Caucasians (11.9%) and 
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Asians (10.7%); and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, African-American infants (19.3%) are about two 
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times as likely as Asian infants (10.7%) to be born preterm; 
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and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Major risk factors for preterm and very preterm 
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births include multiple births, history of preterm delivery, 
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stress, infection, smoking, and illicit drug use; and
 
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    WHEREAS, In the United States, preterm birth or low birth 
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weight is the 2nd leading cause of all infant deaths during the 
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first year of life and the leading cause of infant deaths among 
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African-American infants; and
 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, The global toll of preterm births is severe;  and 
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an estimated 28% of the 4 million annual neonatal deaths are 
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due to preterm births; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Children born preterm have higher rates of 
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learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, sensory deficits, and 
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respiratory illnesses compared to children born at term; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, To be most effective, preventive strategies 
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should involve strengthening existing reproductive, maternal, 
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newborn, and child health care programs to encourage synergies 
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of preterm birth care while, at the same time, stimulating 
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fresh thinking and innovative new approaches to prevention; 
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therefore, be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that a task force shall be created to 
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investigate how Illinois can reduce the incidence of preterm 
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births in Illinois; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That the task force shall be composed of the 
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Director of Public Health, or his or her designee, who shall 
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serve as the Chair of the task force; 2 members of the State 
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Board of Health; the Director of the Maternal and Child Health 
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Advisory Board; a neonatologist; a social worker; a preemie 
 


 






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nurse; a representative of an organization whose main focus is 
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on preterm births; 2 members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives, one of whom shall be named by the Speaker of 
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the House, and one of whom shall be named by the Minority 
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Leader of the House; and 2 members of the Senate, one of whom 
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shall be named by the President of the Senate and one of whom 
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shall be named by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and be it 
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further
 
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    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Public Health 
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shall provide or work with stakeholders to provide logistical 
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and support staff to the task force; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That the task force shall, in a written report 
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that is to be delivered to the General Assembly on or before 
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November 1, 2011, make findings and recommendations concerning 
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reducing preterm births in Illinois; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to 
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the Director of the Department of Public Health.